NBA Draft Rumors 2014: Aaron Gordon, Zach LaVine love Los Angeles Lakers
Although they won’t get their hands on any of the draft’s perceived top three prospects, former Kansas Jayhawks teammates, forward Andrew Wiggins and center Joel Embiid, former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker or one play they supposedly covet, Australian point guard Dante Exum, the Los Angeles Lakers should be able to land a talented player with the seventh-overall pick.
More from Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- Bronny James collapses at practice, taken to ICU with cardiac arrest
- NBA Rumors: Lakers nearing another savvy minimum signing
- Lakers projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
A couple of players have already expressed their desire to play for the Lakers, according to Eric Pincus of The Los Angeles Times.
One of the players, former Arizona Wildcats’ power forward Aaron Gordon may or may not be available (The Boston Celtics, who hold the sixth-overall pick have shown a lot of interest in Gordon) while the other, former UCLA Bruins’ guard Zach LaVine will almost certainly be available.
"“I love L.A.,” said Gordon on the prospect of being drafted by the Lakers. “I have family in L.A.”Gordon is an athletic and defensive-minded, 6-foot-9 forward whose play might resemble that of Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion.LaVine is another of the top athletes in this year’s draft class. Weeks ago, the 6-foot-6 guard was considered a borderline first-round pick but a strong showing at the NBA combine in Chicago has made LaVine a projected lottery pick (top 14).LaVine is a combo guard, hoping to have a similar career to Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook.“I’ve always been a Lakers fan growing up, so they’re there at the seven spot,” said LaVine. “I’ve been working so hard for this my whole life. Whatever team I go to, I’m going to go there full-hearted.”"
Gordon averaged 12.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks per game last season while LaVine put up 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.